The event presented key topics including international standards and technological solutions for carbon emissions’ management, environmental, social, and governance policy evaluation based on global standards, and the application of technology in optimising operational costs.

ACCA event highlights technology’s role in sustainability practices

The conference served as a platform for future-oriented businesses to share their successes and challenges while fostering collaboration among those committed to sustainability.

During the conference, Ren Varma, ACCA’s head of Mainland Southeast Asia, delivered in-depth insights into ACCA’s role in supporting businesses in building sustainable development capabilities.

Citing 2024 trade figures, Varma noted that Vietnam’s import-export turnover maintained unprecedented levels over the past 40 years, supported by the enforcement of over 17 trade agreements.

Vietnam-EU trade exceeded $67 billion, with numerous domestic enterprises integrating into European and global supply chains.

“Implementing sustainability reporting is imperative for Vietnamese firms participating in global supply chains to comply with Europe’s mandatory sustainability disclosure regulations. The key challenge is how businesses can effectively implement sustainability reporting with existing resources while meeting international standards,” said Varma.

Ren Varma, head of Mainland Southeast Asia, ACCA. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Representatives from various other organisations, such as VACPA, FPT, Unilever, HDBank, PwC, and the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City shared their experiences in leveraging technology for sustainability.

These real-world case studies enabled participants to gain practical insights into how best to apply technology to sustainable management, while understanding the essential competencies required for effective implementation.

At the event, experts reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing capabilities and professional expertise in achieving national sustainable development goals and the target of Net-Zero by 2050.

Photo: ACCA Vietnam

ACCA pledged its continued support by launching the Professional Diploma in Sustainability (ProDipSust) across more than 180 countries, including Vietnam. This initiative aims to equip professionals with the necessary expertise to implement sustainable business practices.

ProDipSust not only provides in-depth knowledge on sustainability but also guides businesses on practical applications, from understanding international frameworks and regulations to strategic management, sustainability reporting, and assurance.

Recognised as a globally standardised knowledge framework, this diploma plays a crucial role in strengthening corporate sustainability governance, ensuring transparency, and complying with international standards.

Beyond offering training programmes, ACCA actively collaborates with leading organisations to drive sustainable development initiatives.

Beyond offering training activities, ACCA collaborates with major organisations to drive sustainability initiatives. In this seminar, ACCA Vietnam, in partnership with VACPA and PwC Vietnam, established a highly practical forum to help Vietnamese firms align with international standards and devise effective sustainability strategies.

Ren Varma underscored the critical role of finance and accounting professionals in advancing sustainable development, saying, “Financial expertise is not just about financial reporting, it plays a fundamental role in shaping sustainable strategies. Finance professionals are responsible for integrating sustainability initiatives into business models, accurately measuring their impact, and transparently communicating them to stakeholders. ACCA’s certification serves as a vital tool for businesses and individuals to enhance their expertise in this field.”

“With a strong commitment to fostering sustainability competencies, ACCA will continue to support businesses and financial professionals on their journey towards a responsible and sustainable economy,” he added.

Thu Thiem New Urban Area – the new financial and economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Le Toan

In total, 11 plots covering 9.2 hectares in the Number 1 Functional Area will be used for the project in Thu Duc city.

The location was reported to the local Department of Telecommunications on March 11 to set up a plan to develop telecommunications and digital infrastructure for the centre.

​​Thu Thiem New Urban Area was approved in 1996 covering 930 hectares on the east bank of the Saigon River and opposite District 1. When completed, the area will have a population of 200,000 people.

The area will be divided into a central core, a northern residential area, a residential area along Mai Chi Tho Avenue, an eastern residential area, and a southern zone.

On January 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference to announce an action plan to implement a regional and international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

At the conference, PM Chinh said that Ho Chi Minh City is located at the head of Southeast Asia, making it convenient for trade and financial connections with major markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN. Building a financial centre there will help reduce costs and transaction times for traders.

To accelerate the project, early this year, Ho Chi Minh City established a steering committee for the construction and development of the centre with 29 members. The establishment of the international financial centre is expected to create a foundation for the future growth of Ho Chi Minh City. This is also an opportunity for the city to attract international investors and increase foreign investment in various sectors.

Several ministries have been instructed to study appropriate visa policies and diversify exemptions for some countries, with an added target of enticing the ultra-rich to spend more time in Vietnam, as part of a 2025 tourism stimulus programme issued in January.

At a regular government meeting on March 5, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look at bilateral negotiations to expand visa exemptions and protection for Vietnamese citizens when travelling abroad, as well as to coordinates with authorities to simplify immigration procedures.

At the same time, the Ministry of Public Security, in particular the Vietnam Immigration Department and Department of Foreign Relations, are responsible for reviewing visas when entering the country.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is tasked with further promoting the nation, attracting tourists, and managing hotels, services, and tourist agencies.

Pham Ha, CEO of travel company Lux Group, said implementing visa exemption policies could open up opportunities to attract investment from the upper class, contributing to promoting economic growth and developing luxury tourism in Vietnam.

“The tourism industry needs to have a strategy and tactics, such as the possibility of completely waiving visas for strategic partner countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Countries that have been granted visa exemptions also need to encourage stronger bilateral relations, and design and develop specialised products, such as heritage exploration products of national culture and territories worldwide,” Ha said.

Many countries have implemented so-called golden visa programmes by simplifying policies for investors and foreigners with high demand as a way to encourage investment.

Last month, the New Zealand government decided to simplify its Active Investor visa to support the recovery of its declining economy. To meet the requirements, investors must commit to have a minimum investment amount of $3.1 million into businesses in the country.

Starting from April 1, the Active Investor Plus visa programme will be simplified with an expanded scope of investment. The English language test for applicants will be abolished, while the requirement for minimum residency time for investors will also be reduced.

Last month, US President Donald Trump also put forward the idea of selling a “gold card” to wealthy foreigners, giving them the right to live and work in the US and offering a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee.

Those who own a gold card would be granted legal residency privileges similar to the green card issued to permanent residents of the US, with investment options including buying a house, establishing a company, or making contributions.

From March 1, the Vietnamese government had already begun visa exemption for citizens of Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland, to join 13 other nations that already enjoy the advantage. The newest exemption will initially last until the end of the year through tour programmes from Vietnamese travel companies with a temporary stay of 45 days, regardless of passport type.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, evaluated that 2025’s tourism stimulus strategy combined with additional visa exemptions will attract more people from new markets and increase access to potential markets for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

“Tourists from Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland are willing to pay for high-end resort services, and unique cultural experiences with a strong local imprint. Therefore, opening up to these markets can create many opportunities for the development of tourism and services,” Quynh said. “The decision is a positive step by the government in attracting international tourists, especially from countries with high spending potential.”

According to Vu The Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, investors from developed countries are also interested in coming to Vietnam to explore the market, seek partners, and participate in economic conferences combined with leisure tourism.

“Thanks to convenient visa policies, the trade connection between Vietnamese and foreign businesses will become stronger. Furthermore, this policy will likely pave the way for Vietnamese tourism to access more markets across Europe,” Binh predicted.